We coasted past Poland but against Croatia tonight you will see the true Germany, says captain Ballack

On the ball: Michael Ballack believes Germany will have to play better against stronger teams than Poland

Chelsea's Michael Ballack, the Germany captain, insists his side played to "only 80-85 per cent of our potential" in their opening 2-0 win over Poland on Sunday and insists tonight against Croatia: "You will see Germany's true worth in this game."

Ballack said: "Croatia have set themselves some very tough targets and you have to respect any team that beats England twice."

Ballack continued: "We were happy with our performance against Poland but we know there are stronger teams lurking. If we want to get to the final we will have to improve.

"I think this team categorises itself by the complete absence of any prima donas or self-styled stars. There is no such thing."

Croatia boss Slaven Bilic was a player at the 1998 World Cup in France when they beat Germany 3-0, the Croats' only victory over the Germans in seven attempts.

The former West Ham defender, now 39, said: "I certainly like to think back to that match. We maintain, as the whole of Croatia does, that was one of our greatest victories - maybe the greatest."

With the two teams winning their opening Group B games, a place in the last eight is almost guaranteed the victor at Klagenfurt in Austria.

Germany coach Joachim Loew is viewing today's showdown against Croatia as notonly an opportunity for his side to book their spot in the quarter-finals of Euro 2008, but also to continue his own footballing education.

Guiding Germany through is obviously Loew's primary objective, but the 48-year-old is also hoping to use the match as an opportunity to learn from Croatia counterpart Slaven Bilic.

Bilic is nine years younger than Low, but they have been in international management for a similar amount of time having both taken charge of their respective countries in 2006, and Low admits he is keen to learn what he can off all his fellow coaches.

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"I can still learn from a number of people and each and every time I meet with colleagues from other teams I try to take something home with me," said Loew, who was able to pick the brain of Leo Beenhakker at the weekend, with the veteran Dutchman in charge of Poland.

"I believe that the discussions and talks that I have been able to have with coaches like Slaven Bilic have been very important for me."

Loew, who was assistant coach to Jurgen Klinsmann during the 2006 World Cupbefore stepping into the hotseat, admits he is impressed with the job Bilic has done since taking the reins of Croatia.

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Centre of attention: Croatia's head coach Slaven Bilic speaks to a group of players during a training session in Klagenfurt

Croatia finished top of their qualifying group for Euro 2008, beating England home and away in the process, and Low said: "He (Bilic) has proved, as a very young national coach, that he has taken his team in the right direction.

"They played very well in qualifying, with very strong results including wins against England, and that means that not only does he have a strong team but he is also a strong coach."

For Poland and co-hosts Austria, both beaten on Sunday, elimination awaits the loser in Vienna.

Austria boss Andreas Herzog admitted as much, saying: "The knock-out phase has already begun for us. We have to beat Poland in order to remain in the running. To go up against Germany [in their last group game on Monday] would be the opposite of ideal."